I always tell people that I "Forrest Gumped" my way through 24 years of active duty.

"Gump" 3D.gif

*A rare, signed, higher resolution and non-watermarked version of this image is available for download at: https://creary.net/digitalart/@jaichai/forrest-gump-and-push-button-e-4-s

Imagine this.

For the 17 y/o me, it was either the military or "Big Boy Juvie" (aka Grown-ups' Prison).

But through no conscious effort (or fault) of my own, somehow I was chosen as the Honor Recruit in Boot camp.

In my mind, all I did was simply follow the boy scout rules and do all the silly tasks that, compared to delinquent life, were super easy.

Then at Basic Hospital Corpsman School, I qualified for accelerated advancement to E4 (Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class) at the age of barely 18 - with less than three monthsof military service!

I was what others enviously called a "Push Button E4" cause I bypassed the normal enlisted advancement process to Petty Officer 3rd Class with just the stroke of a pen.

All I did was pass a SpecWar physical fitness test, scored high enough on other aptitude and psych tests and signed a paper volunteering for hazardous duty...I think?

Later on, through a special enlisted college program, for two academically packed years, my only job was to get my A.A. , B.S. and MBA degrees.

Funny thing.

I don't remember applying for that college program?

I guess I Forrest Gumped that one too?

Lol!

May you and yours be well and loving life today.

In Lak'ech, JaiChai

(JaiChai 6 May 2022. Simultaneous multi-site submissions. All rights reserved.)